Thordon Bearings has introduced a new wireless propeller shaft bearing wear measurement system, to improve hull and propeller shaft condition monitoring capabilities.
Developed in partnership with UK-based CSignum, Thordon’s Bearing Condition Monitoring – Wireless (BCM-W) system uses electromagnetic field signalling (EMFS) technology to transfer data from underwater sensors to monitors positioned above the waterline.
This eliminates the need for the wired monitoring systems typically used to indicate the bearing clearance of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearings, which are not always possible to install without shaft withdrawal.
“Typical wired bearing condition monitoring systems can be installed during the newbuild stage, but unlikely to be used in retrofit applications as the shaft needs to be withdrawn to install the cable,” said Thordon Bearings’ Technical Director Anthony Hamilton.
“Shaft withdrawal is not required with the BCM-W. It completely eliminates the need for cumbersome and penetrative cabling and removes the need for frequent and costly diver inspections.”
“Any sudden changes that indicate shaft misalignment can be quickly detected. Current wireless data transmission technology is unable to cross the water to air boundary.”
The system incorporates a non-intrusive sensor bolted on to the vessel’s sterntube or ‘A’ or ‘P’ bracket flange that is connected to a subsea modem. Bearing clearance information is then transmitted to a topside modem data retrieval unit on an upper deck bulkhead and made available for upload to a tablet or laptop.
